Julie Belaga

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Julie D. Belaga is a former Connecticut politician. She served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1977 until 1987. She chose not to seek re-election to her seat in 1986 in order to seek the 1986 Republican nomination for governor.

After becoming the Republican nominee, she lost the November election to the popular Democratic Governor William A. O'Neill.

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Belaga moved to Connecticut with her family in 1965 and immediately became involved in local politics. Prior to being elected to the State House of Representatives, she served as Chairman of the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission from 1972 to 1976.

While serving in the legislature, Belaga had major legislative successes on a number of critical environmental issues. She took the lead in drafting and implementing Connecticut's coastal management laws that protect coastline and valuable resources. She served on Connecticut's water supply task force and led the fight to assure safe drinking water in Connecticut. She played an active role in the development of Connecticut's hazardous waste management service and was instrumental in realigning and reforming the state's Resource Recovery Authority.

Belaga received an education degree from Syracuse University.

In 1990 Belaga was appointed by President George H. W. Bush as Region 1 (New England) Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She was later appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Export-Import Bank.